1952 Lincoln Wheat Cent (Penny) Appraisal
Category: Coin
Description
This item is an American Lincoln Cent, commonly known as a penny. The obverse side is visible, featuring a right-facing bust of Abraham Lincoln, as designed by Victor David Brenner. Above his head, the motto "IN GOD WE TRUST" is prominently inscribed along the top rim. To Lincoln's left, the word "LIBERTY" is visible, though somewhat obscured by wear and patination. To his right, the minting year "1952" is clearly readable. The coin appears to be made of copper or a copper alloy, characteristic of pennies from this era. Its physical condition shows significant signs of wear, particularly on Lincoln's facial features and hair, which are quite flattened. The surface exhibits a dark, uneven patination, predominantly a deep brownish-black, with noticeable areas of greenish corrosion (verdigris), especially around the lower and left portions of the coin, suggesting exposure to moisture or a reactive environment. There are no obvious signs of significant damage like bends or deep scratches, but the surface pitting and discoloration from the corrosion are evident. The rim appears mostly intact. The overall craftsmanship is consistent with mass-produced coinage from the mid-20th century, lacking fine detail due to circulation and environmental exposure. No mint mark is visible in the provided image, which would typically be located below the date on this type of coin. The coin's age is explicitly dated to 1952, placing it within the mid-20th century.
Appraisal Report
I have carefully examined the provided image of this 1952 Lincoln Wheat Cent. Based on its appearance, I can confirm its authenticity as a genuine US one-cent coin from 1952. The design elements, including Lincoln's bust, the 'IN GOD WE TRUST' motto, and the 'LIBERTY' inscription, align perfectly with known examples of this mintage. The obverse is clearly visible, though the absence of a mint mark suggests it was produced at the Philadelphia Mint. The coin's condition is a significant factor in its valuation. It exhibits heavy wear, particularly flattening of Lincoln's facial features and hair, placing it in a well-circulated grade, likely Good (G-4) to Very Good (VG-8). The prominent greenish corrosion (verdigris) and dark, uneven patination are detrimental to its eye appeal and value. While there are no major bends or deep scratches, the surface pitting and discoloration from the environmental exposure are evident. From a market perspective, 1952 Lincoln Cents are very common. Millions were minted, and they are readily available in all grades. There is no inherent rarity for a standard 1952 cent. Demand primarily comes from collectors seeking full sets of Lincoln Cents or those interested in low-cost historical artifacts. However, coins in this heavily worn and environmentally damaged condition have very limited demand in the collector market. Their value is primarily intrinsic, tied to their copper content, or as a common novelty item. Key factors significantly impacting value are the low grade, the extensive surface corrosion, and the commonality of the issue. Without these condition issues, a 1952 cent in higher circulated grades might fetch slightly more, but still within the fractional dollar range. For a coin of this age and commonality, condition is paramount. It is important to note that this appraisal is based solely on visual inspection of the provided image. While authenticity of type is clear, a definitive determination of potential surface issues, cleaning, or other alterations sometimes requires in-person examination under magnification. Furthermore, the absence of a mint mark is assumed from the image but would be confirmed with physical inspection. Full authentication for higher value coins often involves expert third-party grading and non-destructive analysis of metal composition, though this is not typically warranted for a common coin of this value.
Appraisal Value
$0.05 - $0.25